499 wickets: Nathan Lyon poised on the verge of greatness

Justin Chadwick and Scott Bailey
Dec 16, 2023, updated Dec 17, 2023

Nathan Lyon reacts after lifting his career wicket tally to 499. Photo: AAP

Part-time spinner Travis Head gatecrashed the Nathan Lyon party as Pakistan were dismissed for 271 in the series-opening Benaud-Qadir Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

Lyon claimed the scalps of Imam-ul-Haq and Aamir Jamal on Friday to move to 499 Test scalps, putting him on the verge of joining the late Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (563) as Australians who have cracked the magical 500 mark.

With the crowd urging him on, Lyon had a few ‘nearly’ moments against Salman Agha (28no off 76 balls) and No.11 Shaheen Afridi (4).

But wicket No.500 will have to wait for another day after Head came on and tempted Shaheen into a wild shot that was easily caught.

Lyon ended the innings with 3-66 from his 24 overs, while Pat Cummins (2-35) and Mitchell Starc (2-68) also took multiple wickets.

Australia posted 487 in their first innings, decided not to enforce the follow-on with two days and a session still remaining in the match.

The home side will be aiming to build on their 216-run win before sending Pakistan in to bat again.

“It’s a good day to sit in the air-con for us quicks,” Cummins told Fox Cricket of his decision not to enforce the follow-on.

Pakistan’s wilting promise

The tourists showed promise with the bat early on Friday, but they lost 3-14 during a calamitous period before lunch.

Hometown hero Mitch Marsh began the carnage, removing Babar Azam when the Pakistan star edged an outswinger to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

It continued a strong match from Marsh, who smashed 90 in Australia’s first innings.

Babar, Pakistan’s former captain and the country’s premier batter, was looking dangerous at the crease with patient opener Imam-ul-Haq.

But Australia’s position of dominance was assured when Lyon also struck, dismissing Imam for his 498th Test wicket.

Imam had faced 199 balls for his 62, but lost concentration as he charged down the wicket and missed Lyon’s delivery, gifting Carey the easiest of stumpings.

After resuming on their overnight score of 2-132, Pakistan lost nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad (seven) on the third ball of the day, bowled by Cummins.

Marsh strikes

Marsh’s dismissal of Babar with his first over of the day sparked Pakistan’s meltdown before lunch.

Starc joined the wicket party, rattling wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed’s stumps for three.

Ahmed was considered fortunate by Pakistan cricket experts to be in the side ahead of fellow keeper Mohammad Rizwan.

Saud Shakeel entered the match with a Bradman-esque Test average of 87.5 from seven matches, and he was looking good as he moved to 28 after lunch.

But a Josh Hazlewood bouncer made him look silly, with Shakeel’s attempted fend ballooning to David Warner at slip.

Agha Salman was given out LBW on 10, but he was given a reprieve when his review showed the Cummins delivery was missing leg stump.

Cummins sent Faheem Ashraf (9) packing a short time later when Usman Khawaja took a ripper catch while diving forward at square leg, reducing Pakistan to 8-241.

Another sharp piece of work by Carey – this time to stump Aamir Jamal (10) – gave Lyon his 499th Test wicket, but Head came on to snare the last wicket of the innings.

-AAP

MOST TEST WICKETS BY AN AUSTRALIAN